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You will find on this page information and forms that require your completion as an employee with a temporary appointment with the Federal Railroad Administration. You should follow the instructions outlined in your offer letter for submitting the documents as the various forms will need to be submitted at various times to different addresses/offices.
Security
Before You Report - Forms that Require Your Completion
Security:
The level of security background investigation will be determined based on the length of your temporary appointment. For temporary appointments of 90-days or less, e.g., summer appointments, the security background investigation only includes a fingerprint check. For temporary appointments for 90-days or more a basic background investigation must be conducted to determine your suitability for employment. The background investigation is called a National Agency Check (NAC) or a National Agency Check with Written Inquiries (NACI). The information that is needed to initiate the background investigation is gathered from job applicants and employees through the use of an automated software program called “Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing,” (e-QIP). Please refer to your offer letter to determine if you should follow the instructions at Section 1 or Section II below.
Section I - Temporary Appointments 90-days or less
Headquarter Employees - As part of the orientation process on your first day you will be fingerprinted and provided with an identification badge.
Non-Headquarter Employees - Please read the - Fingerprinting Instructions - at the link below. You must print and complete the Fingerprint Card and take it to your local police department for fingerprinting before the first day of employment. Your police department may require you to make an appointment to be fingerprinted and it is recommended that you call to check their procedures. Bring the completed Fingerprint Card with you on your first day of employment.
Section II - Temporary Appointments 90-days or more
You will receive an e-mail providing you with a user ID and password from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Security’s Information Tracking System database in order to access the e-QIP system. You should notify the Office of Human Resource at (202) 493-6110 if you do not receive an email regarding your access to e-QIP within 3 working days of the receipt of your offer letter.
Please read the - “Hints for Completing Security Paperwork Using the "Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing" (e-QIP) System" and the "Quick Reference Guide for e-QIP Applicants" at the link below before accessing the e-QIP secure website at: www.opm.gov/e-qip/
For Non-Headquarter Employees Only:
Part of the background investigation includes a fingerprint check. Please read the "Fingerprinting Instructions" at the link below. You must print and complete the Fingerprint Card and take it to your local police department for fingerprinting before the first day of employment. Your police department may require you to make an appointment to be fingerprinted and it is recommended that you call to check their procedures. Bring the completed Fingerprint Card with you on your first day of employment.
NOTE: If you are transferring from another Federal agency you will be notified if you need to complete the e-QIP process based on information we receive from your prior agency.
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Before You Report - Forms that Require Your Completion:
Here you will find information and links necessary for us to process your appointment, for you to receive your first paycheck, and for you to finalize legal documents for Federal employment with FRA.
Required Actions
A. You must complete the I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification Form AND
provide one document from List A OR one document from List B plus
one from List C as proof of eligibility. These documents must be brought with you on your first day.
B. Complete the forms as instructed below and bring the printed forms with you on your first day of employment.
1. Appointment Affidavits (SF-61)
Purpose:
This form is used on your first day of work when you take the Oath of Office.This form is NOT to be completed until you are sworn in.
Instructions:
Print one copy. Bring this blank form with you on your first day. DO NOT COMPLETE. After you are sworn in, you will sign and date the affidavit.
2. Declaration of Federal Employment (OF-306)
Purpose:
This form is used to determine your suitability for Federal employment.
Instructions:
Read and complete the form.Print one copy and sign the form as an applicant in block 17a.You will sign this form again on the day you report as the appointee in block 17b; however, DO NOT sign in block 17b at this time.
NOTE:
A false statement on any part of this form may be grounds for not hiring you or for firing you after you begin work.You may also be punished by a fine or imprisonment.
3. DOT IT Rules of Behavior Form
Purpose:
This form is used to certify that you have read the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Information System Responsibilities and Rules of Behavior for Users, Account Administrators and System Operators Policy.
Instructions:
Read the DOT policy and the FRA IT User Access Authorization Form. Print one copy of the FRA IT User Access Authorization Form and sign the form. (You may wish to print the DOT policy for your records.)
4. Employee Information Form (DOT-2730.2)
Purpose:
This form is used to ensure we have your bank account information for direct deposit of your paycheck as well as your correct address for mailing documents, such as a W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, and other notifications concerning Thrift Savings Plan, retirement and benefits.
Instructions:
Read and complete the form.In Section 1, the “Operating Administration” is the Federal Railroad Administration. Print one copy and sign the form.
NOTE:
The form consists of 4 pages: 3 duplicate pages and one page of instructions. Only one page of the completed form is required.
5. Employee Locator Card (FRA-66)
Purpose:
The information provided on this form is used to identify the person(s) you want notified in case of an emergency. This information may also be used to contact you at home, if needed.
Instructions:
Read and complete the form. Print one copy and sign the form.
6. Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9)
Purpose:
This form is used to verify your citizenship and eligibility to work in the United States
Instructions:
Complete Section 1. Print one copy and sign the form. Then, on your first day of work, provide one document from List A OR one document from List B PLUS
one from List C as stated on the form. These documents will provide sufficient proof of citizenship.
7. Ethnicity and Race Identification (SF-181)
Purpose:
This form is used to collect statistical information on the composition of the FRA workforce. Completion of this form is optional. However, if you do not complete this form, FRA will attempt to identify your race and national origin by visual perception.
Instructions:
Read and complete the form as appropriate. Print one copy and sign the form.
8. Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate
Purpose:
This form is required by the IRS and is used to determine the correct amount of Federal income tax to be withheld from your biweekly earnings based on the number of exemptions that you claim.
Instructions:
Step 1: You may use the Personal Allowances Worksheet to help you determine the number of withholding allowances that you are entitled to claim. Use of the worksheet is optional. Step 2: Fill out the W4 Form and print one copy. Step 3: Sign and date.
9. Identification Card/Credential Application (DOT 1681)
(non fillable)
Purpose:
This form is mandatory in order to receive DOT identification media.
Instructions:
Complete the following areas of the form - Applicant Data and Applicant Signature. Print one copy and sign the form.
NOTE:
Do not complete Applicant’s Acknowledgement Receipt. Headquarters employees will be asked to sign this area upon receipt of the ID Card from the Office of Security. Field employees are not required to sign this block because your ID Card/Credentials will be Federal Expressed from Headquarters to your Regional Office.
10. Self Identification of Reportable Handicap (SF-256)
(non fillable)
Purpose:
This form is used to collect statistical information in aggregate for agency reports on hiring, placement, and advancement of handicapped individuals. Information is not reported by individual. Completion of this form is optional unless you are being hired as a person with a disability under a Schedule A appointment in the Excepted Service.
Instructions:
Complete the requested personal information at the top of the form and indicate the appropriate code. Print one copy and sign the form.
11. State Withholding Exemption Certificate
(Click on link-Select your State-Search for Employee's Withholding Exemption Certificate.)
Purpose:
This form may be required by your State/Commonwealth/District of Columbia to determine the correct amount of income tax to be withheld from your biweekly earnings based on the number of exemptions that you claim.
Instructions:
Follow the instructions as outlined on the Exemption Certificate. Print one copy and sign the form. Exemption Certificates for DC, MD and VA can be found at the links below.
DC Tax Form, D-4
(non fillable)
DC Non Residence Tax Form, D-4A
(non fillable)
Maryland Tax Form, MW-507
Virginia Tax Form, VA-4
(non fillable)
12. Statement of Education Form
Purpose:
This form is used to document your education level in the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Civilian Personnel Data File (CPDF). The CPDF is used to provide statistical information for Federal agencies and the public.
Instructions:
Read and complete the form using the codes provided. Print only the certification page and sign the form.
13. Statement of Prior Federal Service (SF-144)
Purpose:
This form is used to determine and record prior Federal service that may be creditable for accrual of annual leave and for reduction-in-force retention purposes.
Instructions:
Completion of this form is voluntary. If completed, print one copy and sign the form.
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